By ‘eck: BBC blasted over ‘patronising’ coverage of Tour de Yorkshire

Gabby Logan presents Sports Personality of the Year

Despite being one of the biggest sporting events to be held in the UK this year, the BBC thought it was only worth devoting around one minute of its two-and-a-half hour review of the sporting year to the Tour.

And it was not just the limited time given to the event, which saw thousands of people line the route as the Tour spent two days in Yorkshire in July, that led to criticism of the BBC today.

The hosting of the Grand Depart was shown in a video package featuring the Last of the Summer Wine theme, images of grazing sheep and ended with the caption “by ‘eck it were good” triggering accusations that the corporation was indulging in outdated Yorkshire stereotypes.

The brief segment ended with Leeds-born presenter Gabby Logan saying “by ‘eck it certainly was, Dickie” to former cricket umpire Harold “Dickie” Bird.

Tom Bridges, chief economic development officer at Leeds City Council who recently helped write a report on the economic impact of the Tour visiting Yorkshire, wrote on Twitter: “World’s largest annual sporting event comes to UK. BBC features it for less than 2 mins on #SPOTY & perpetuate patronising view of Yorkshire.”

He was not alone in his criticsm.

Greg Marah, from Huddersfield, wrote: “What a terrible and stereotypical segment on the tour de Yorkshire.”

Graham Lake, from Otley, said: “Blinked and missed the Tour de France bit. You know, that little bike race in the summer?”

Tom Craven, from Ripon, said: “The lack of coverage given to the Tour de France is nothing short of disgraceful.”

Andy Marsden, from London, said: “Was that it for the Grand Depart on #SPOTY?? The most watched annual live sporting event, and the biggest ever start, hosted by the UK?”

The Harrogate Preserves Company said: “Oh #spoty that’s it then for Le Tour Yorkshire? Could the footage be any shorter?!”

A BBC spokesman said: “With such a huge amount of events happening in 2014, and centre stage always given to the nominees and awards, it inevitably means that other events may be covered in a shorter time to fit everything from this great sporting year in.”

Hosting the Tour de France generated more than £100 million for the region’s economy and attracted 3.3 million spectators.

The Tour de France through Yorkshire was covered throughout on live television - but by rival broadcaster ITV.